Market Focus: Trends and Developments in the Skincare Sector in the UK

This report provides a concise overview of the Skincare market in the UK. After reading this report, you will understand the size of the market, the economic, demographic, and behavioral trends that will drive its evolution and the leading companies within the market, allowing you to plan effectively for the future.

Introduction and Landscape

Why was the report written?

This overview of the consumer and market dynamics of the UK Skincare sector allows new entrants and established companies to gain rapid and comprehensive insight into the current state of the market and identify the key trends that will drive growth in the coming years.

What is the current market landscape and what is changing?

The volume of Skincare products used in the UK will steadily increase during 2012-2017 at a CAGR slightly higher than that registered during 2007-2012. However, the market has experienced volatile growth in US$ terms due to fluctuating exchange rates, which has added complexity to the market for international companies operating in the UK Skincare market.

What are the key drivers behind recent market changes?

With more than 35% of the population 50 years of age or older as of 2012, the population mix in the UK has been skewed towards the aging population, aided by the growing life expectancy rate. Therefore, with 38% of the country\'s population expected to age further by 2017, the future target for retailers should be the better off older consumer rather than the cash-strapped young consumers. A desire for tailored products along with age-based necessities drives demand in the UK Skincare market. Demand for Skincare products is also influenced by new gender behaviors along with consumers\' desire to look more beautiful.

What makes this report unique and essential to read?

This report brings together consumer insight and market data to provide a comprehensive brief of the UK Skincare sector. This allows for the rapid identification of key growth opportunities across five Skincare categories and their packaging.

Key Features and Benefits

Analysis of consumer behavior, economic conditions, and demography reveals emerging opportunities in the Skincare sector in the UK.

Market shares are provided for the leading brands across the Body Care, Depilatories, Facial Care, Hand Care, and Make-up Remover categories.

An overview of packaging trends in the UK Skincare sector is provided, including primary packaging material and type, packaging closures, and outer packaging.

Key future trends are highlighted and analyzed in order to identify opportunities and threats in the Skincare sector.

Key Market Issues

Men in the UK are increasingly looking to take better care of their skin in order to look good. A large section of the male population is particularly spending a lot of time on their facial skincare and to that end is even developing regimens for themselves. This has led to a noticeable increase in the use of facial care products amongst men.

Body Care and Facial Care are the most valuable categories in the UK Skincare sector and are expected to witness positive growth rates during 2012-2017.

The Health and Beauty market in the UK is fragmented in terms of competitiveness and companies\' overall sales shares. Although Hypermarkets and Supermarkets lead distribution, the market is also marked by the presence of Specialist Retailers.

Despite the economic uncertainty and a tendency among consumers to cut down on expenses, the overall share of private label products in the UK\'s Skincare sector remains low. However, a high penetration rate was seen in the Make-up Remover and Depilatories categories, which was remarkably higher than the overall Skincare private label penetration.

While Depilatories continues to be a low value category in the UK Skincare market, Make-up Remover is expected to register the lowest growth rate during the period 2012-2017 and is also the smallest category in the UK Skincare market

Key Highlights

Women consume the most Skincare products by volume. Older Consumers are one of the most prominent consumer groups. Consumer analysis, based on Wealth Group, reveals that Better-off men and women have the highest consumption share, while Time Rich male and Time Poor female consumers have the highest consumption propensity of Skincare.

Body Care will gain market share while the market share of Facial Care, Hand Care, Depilatories, and Make-up Remover will decline between 2007 and 2017.

Aspirations for better personal health and hygiene are driving consumers towards natural and organic cosmetics and personal care products, which includes Skincare products. Consumer demand for such natural products has also been augmented by growing awareness about the efficacy of organic products along with various lifestyle changes.

Body Care and Facial Care accounted for over 85% of the total number of packs used in the UK Skincare sector in 2012, driving significant demand for Rigid Plastic and Flexible Packaging Bottles and Tubes. These often use Flip/Snap Top and Screw Top closures, while Box outers were selectively used for such products.

The growing demand for Body Care and Facial Care products in the UK will result in a parallel demand for Flexible and Rigid Plastic Bottle Packaging along with Screw Top and Dispenser closures. Demand for Box outers will also increase as a result of the rising consumption of Body and Facial Care products